jdrancher

I used to have a PSE compound bow when I was in high school and college (about 15 years ago). I traded that bow for a new .243 and haven't owned a bow in more than 10 years. Now, I've decided that I want to get back into bow hunting because of the longer hunting season. I know that Hoyt and Matthews are good bows, but who else is making a good bow right now? I have noticed that Bass Pro and Cabela's both handle Bear bows, but how do they stack up against Hoyt and Matthews or PSE? Also, what are some of the better brands of arrows, broadheads, arrow rests, releases, and quivers that are being used now? Thanks.

terry_p

I bought a Browning Tornado (single cam) in early 2003 prior to retirement and have taken a few deer with it. Prior to that I had an old round wheel Browning Coyote that I took quite a few deer with. In NH Bow season runs from 9/15-12/15 and I love being in the woods in the fall when the leaves are turning. Shooting practice is the key to success and a clean kill.

Bows and other equipment have come a long ways in a few years so I am not up to date on the latest and greatest (I still shoot aluminum arrows). My suggestion is to find a shop with a range and shoot a few until you find one you like. They can also give pointers to help rusty shooting form.

grandpabear

I'm a bow hunter first. If I don't score in archery season then I'll use my Muzzle loader in gun season. I bought a Hoyt Maxxis 31 a couple years ago. I've always been partial to Hoyts but there are a lot of good bows out there now days. Actually, I paid more for my bows than I have for any of my guns. I love my bow hunting. I got into it because I got sick of setting in the stand shivering like a dog %&*#ing razor blades.

fungun

A lot has improved in over a decade, I'm looking at a hoyt carbon element rkt bow next year. I shot one at the store and it was absolutely amazing, light, smooth and accurate...but not inexpensive lol. None of the other bows really compared. Carbon arrows have greatly improved as well, I don't see much point to aluminum anymore. Releases are quite similar, I prefer a full rotating caliper with wrist strap shot off a string loop. Tons of varieties of broad-heads and rests, same debates rage between mechanical vs solid heads and all the various flavors of rests. Shoot what you like and there's tons of reviews you can read as well.

jdrancher

You know, back when I was into bow hunting, what I remember being the best were Easton arrows, PSE bows, Cobra releases (caliper and ball), and Muzzy broadheads. Carbon arrows were still a pretty new thing and it was about 50/50 as to who preferred carbon to aluminum. Bear bows were considered kind of cheap, a you only saw them in Walmart kind of thing. I guess I need to run up to Bass Pro and spend some time at the bow counter instead of the gun counter. A friend told me today that they'll let you shoot a demo before you buy in their indoor range, so I guess I need to go check out all the new improvements.

fungun

That's how I remember it also, today my nearby shop stocks no aluminum arrows. Yea go shoot some demo bows, you'll like how much things have improved. If Bass Pro don't offer Hoyt try and find a store that does to check out their carbon bows.

jdrancher

You are the third guy this week to tell me to try a Hoyt, and there's a shop here in town that handles them. Guess I'll have to take a look. It should be fun getting to shoot a bow again, I'm looking forward to hunting with a stick and a string once more.

Oliverfan

I too had a PSE compound back in high school, that was just 10 years ago but things have really evolved. Good friend of mine has been using Hoyt bows for years, absolutely loves them. Couple years ago I decided to get back into bows but went the traditional route. I picked up a Martin recurve and bamboo arrows. I was really enjoying it and getting pretty decent but those take lots of practice and unfortunately classes had priority. Next year the bow will brought back into use.

Trad Archer

I use a longbow. Honestly, I can't imagine using compound, and not because I look down at them. I have no problem with others using compounds or cross bows. Compounds to me seem heavy, clunky, slow to get into action, and too many things and parts that can get out of whack. Longbows and recurves are light, simple, and can be shot in virtually any position. If you are willing to practice, you might be surprised how accurate you will become. Just something to consider. Best of luck with your decision.

fungun

I used to shoot recurve and probably still would except for the damage in my hands makes holding the string on fingers a painful experience that further damages my string hand. So I had to make the switch to compound and am glad to still be able to shoot.

jdrancher

My Grandpa used to shoot a recurve. I think my Dad still has it somewhere. I'm not sure if he ever killed anything with it. I know that he used to shoot a homemade wooden longbow quite a bit. He had a wood arrow with gig tip for a head, he tied line to it and would shoot fish in the creek. I guess my grandpa was "bowfishing" before it was popular. We still have the old longbow and arrow.

LunaticFringeInc

Yeah a lot has changed in the last 15 years. I would probably look at and buy a Mathews bow when I get around to replacing mine. Switching from Aluminum shafts to Carbon was a night and day experience. I wished I would have been more open minded and less old school a lot sooner. I am using Muzzy BH's and I am perfectly happy with them.

antlerfan

Diamond by bowtech -i got a diamond justice a few years ago and love it

cyrille

I love bowhunting or just about any phase of archery been in the "game" on and off since I was 15. I presently use a Black Widow recurve for all of my archery endevors
wood arrows are de rigor for me because I shot in the S.C. A. for a number of years and got use to them.
I have tried carbon and aluminium but always return to wood I shoot "bare bow" no sights, releases other than my fingers.

brimic

I've been shooting a Martin Phantom for about 12 years, before that it was a Bear whitetail and a Darton MX20 for the previous 20.

If I were to buy a bow today, it would be a Matthews. I recently bought a Matthews for my son and am extremely impressed with it. As it is, my Martin does what I need it to do, even though its slower and much louder.